Safety dialysis needle/catheter system and method of use

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a safety needle/catheter system and method of use for dialysis procedures. The invention includes a safety feature that prevents inadvertent needle sticks by administrators. The invention further includes a catheter portion composed of shape memory materials. The catheter portion has a deformed shape and size that facilitates insertion of the catheter portion and closure of the catheter incision and a recovered shape and size that can reduce the severity of infection and/or clotting, as well as provide improved maintenance and control over proper fluid volume flow during dialysis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is estimated that the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in theUnited States population is 11% (roughly 19.2 million adult individuals)and increasing. The kidneys are organs which function to extract waterand urea, mineral salts, toxins, and other waste products from theblood. Patients having one or both defective kidneys often requireartificial “dialysis,” a procedure that simulates the function of thekidneys in cleaning wastes from the blood.

There are currently two forms of dialysis available: hemodialysis andperitoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is a well-known method of providingrenal (kidney) function by using a machine to clean wastes and extrafluids from blood and to re-circulate the cleansed blood back into thepatient's body. In hemodialysis procedures, blood is withdrawn from thepatient's body through an access to a dialysis machine, also commonlyreferred to as a kidney (or dialysis) machine. In the dialysis machine,toxins and other waste products diffuse through a semi-permeablemembrane into a dialysis fluid closely matching the chemical compositionof the blood. The filtered blood (i.e., blood with the waste productsremoved) is then returned to the patient's body. As can be appreciated,proper access to the patient's blood and transport of the blood to andfrom the dialysis machine for this extended period of time is criticalto hemodialysis.

A hemodialysis access (or vascular access) is a large diameter, fastflowing conduit that is located just beneath the skin surface. Thesuperficially located, large diameter, and fast flow conduit/access istypically stuck three times per week with two needles, wherein oneneedle removes blood from the patient's body and the second needlereturns cleansed blood to the patient's body. The blood goes through thedialysis machine and through a special filter called a dialyzer. Apatient can receive hemodialysis treatment through either a catheter,graft, or fistula.

A catheter is a temporary access which consists of a tube placeddirectly into a large vein. With hemodialysis treatment, a catheter isconnected directly to a dialysis machine and does not require the use ofneedles. The catheter may be a single tube with two separate lumens ortwo separate tubes.

Approximately 70% to 80% of patients in the United States receivehemodialysis through either a fistula or a graft. A fistula is apermanent access that is created when a vein is connected to an artery,usually in a patient's extremity. By directly connecting the vein to theartery, the vein receives “high” or “arterial-like” flow. This resultsin enlargement in the diameter of the vein to form a “fistula.”

A graft is also a permanent access that is created by a piece ofsynthetic material (i.e., DACRON) joined from an artery to a vein. Thissynthetic material is located superficially under the skin and is ofadequate diameter for use as a hemodialysis conduit/access.

Despite advances that have been made in providing vascular access fordialysis, few advances have been seen in needles that have been used tocannulate these accesses. Needles used in dialysis are generally 14-17gauge needles made of stiff material (i.e., metal), have a single endhole, are 1 to 1.5 inches in length, and may or may not include a safetyfeature to prevent needle sticks. There are a variety of problemsassociated with currently available needles. Because surgically-createdaccesses are often deeply positioned, it can be difficult to introduce aneedle of only 1 to 1.5 inches in length to the access. Further, due totheir shortness in length, current needles will often “back out” of anaccess during dialysis procedures, which causes returning blood to flowinto subcutaneous tissue rather than into the vascular system asintended.

In addition, current needles are generally tubular in shape. Due totheir shape and stiffness, current dialysis needles do not have a meansfor securing their position in the access and will often slide easilyout to interrupt hemodialysis treatments. Further, their shape andstiffness often cause posterior access wall punctures. This may damagethe graft, fistula, or extremity that is being used for dialysis.

Further, by using needles with a single end hole, the pressure/sheerstress of returning blood (or delivering dialysate fluid) through thesingle end hole is great. This may cause disruption in blood cellmorphology as well as damage to cells lining the graft or fistula. Tocompensate for this, dialysis needles often have large diameters.Unfortunately, large needle profiles impede insertion of the needle andclosure of the needle site. Moreover, for certain individuals, largeneedles with single end holes lack the ability to efficiently maintainproper flow of fluid volume for effective dialysis.

A further disadvantage of current dialysis needles is the risk involvedto administering personnel with inadvertent needle-stick experiences. Asubstantial risk is present to the administering personnel as dialysisneedles are inserted into and removed from a patient for dialysis.Inserted needles can come into contact with bodily fluids that maycontain infectious, microbiological agents. Common dangerous blood-bornepathogens include HIV and hepatitis, which have the capability ofinfecting an individual through an inadvertent needle stick.

Thus, use of current dialysis needles can cause much pain and expense toboth the patient and administrator. For example, hemodialysis patientswith a surgically-created vascular access (i.e., graft or fistula) oftendevelop bruises due to misplaced needles (infiltration). The risk ofinfiltration is frequently related to difficult cannulation, deepposition of graft or fistula, and/or needle migration during dialysis.Moreover, should the access be damaged, further surgery may be requiredto provide a new access for dialysis.

Approaches currently available to remedy the risk of needle sticksinclude those disclosed by Sorenson et al. (U.S. Patent Application No.2002/0123723), Tolkoff et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,891), and Lee et al.(U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,030). These apparatuses provide a means ofpreventing needle sticks upon insertion and retraction of a needle froma patient. However, inability to control and provide proper fluid flowthrough a needle that would function for effective dialysis as well asthe risk of infection and clotting are still problems associated withthe above-referenced safety needles.

Recent advancements in the development of biocompatible shape-memorymaterials are particularly germane to expanding the ability of currentdialysis needle technology to allow for prevention of needle migrationand posterior access wall puncture, as well as to provide optimal fluidexchange. Shape-memory polymers and alloys, in particular, have beeninvestigated for certain medical applications, namely stents, sutures,and closing plugs. These polymers or alloys were developed to have oneshape at one condition (i.e., low temperature) and another shape at asecond condition (i.e., high temperature).

Hence, despite the availability of the above needles and safety needles,there is a continuing need for an improved dialysis needle that preventspotential needle stick experiences while facilitating dialysis, helpingto secure the needle during dialysis to prevent needle migration and/ordislodgement, reducing sheer stress of blood flow, and reducing the riskof other complications associated with dialysis procedures.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention provides a unique safety needle/catheter for useduring dialysis. By combining a safety needle feature with a pre-shapedcatheter containing at least one aperture for optimal fluid exchange,the present invention improves dialysis while reducing the risk ofneedle sticks, the risk of needle migration or withdrawal, the risk ofposterior access wall puncture, the risk of infiltration and celldamage, and the amount of sheer stress generally associated with currentdialysis needles.

The safety needle/catheter of the invention includes a safety feature toprevent inadvertent needle sticks to administering personnel. Theinvention further includes a catheter portion composed of a shape memorymaterial having an original shape that can decrease the risk ofinfiltration and/or disengagement of the needle from the access as wellas provide improved maintenance and control over proper fluid volumeflow during dialysis.

In an embodiment, the invention provides a needle/catheter that reducesthe severity of infection and/or clotting by incorporatinganti-infectious and/or anti-clotting agents or compositions in or aroundthe surface of the catheter portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the safety needle/catheter system includes acatheter portion composed of shape memory materials, a movablepenetrating needle for creating an entrance through subcutaneous tissueto a target site, and a safety feature designed to render the needleharmless. In one embodiment, the safety feature includes a needle guardthat shields the needle from administering personnel after needlepenetration.

In another embodiment, the safety feature includes means for retractingthe needle into a housing to prevent inadvertent contact with the needleby administering personnel.

In a preferred embodiment, the safety feature includes a housing, abiasing element, and a needle retainer. In accordance with the presentinvention, the catheter portion is mounted on the housing. The movablepenetrating needle is operable between an extended position extendingforward of the distal end of the catheter portion and a retractedposition in which the needle is enclosed in the housing. The biasingelement biases the needle toward the retracted position and the needleretainer releasable retains the needle in the extended position againstthe bias on the biasing element. Upon placement of the needle/catheterat a target site, the needle retainer is deactivated to release theneedle for retraction into the housing and to decrease the risk ofinadvertent needle sticks by administering personnel.

According to the present invention, shape memory materials are suitablefor forming a catheter portion because of their ability to return tosome previously defined shape or size when subjected to the appropriatecondition (i.e., temperature). Moreover, commonly available shape memorypolymers and alloys can be easily processed and demonstrate ease ofshaping, high shape stability, adjustable transition temperatures, andexcellent biocompatibility.

In one embodiment, the catheter portion composed of shape memorymaterials is molded to a shape and size suitable for providing optimalfluid volume flow during dialysis procedures while also providingconditions under which less clotting, tissue irritation, infection, ormigration and/or disengagement of the catheter portion will occur. Themolded catheter portion is then deformed to a size and shape (i.e.,small outer diameter catheter body) that facilitate insertion of thecatheter portion and closure of the catheter incision.

In another embodiment, the condition for defining the shape of the shapememory materials is temperature-based. The deformation of the catheterportion is performed above the shape recovery temperature of the polymerand is then cooled to fix the catheter portion to the deformeddecreased-size shape. Thus, the small diameter catheter portion iseasily inserted into the patient at a desired location in the body andis then warmed by the body to above the shape memory temperature torecover the original shape suitable for proper fluid flow.

The catheter portion according to the present invention has at least oneopening to enable fluid flow. In a further embodiment, the originalshape (i.e., shape recovered at body temperature) is in the form of ahelical coil, sinusoidal wave, bolous, loop, pig tail, tennis racquet,halo, or mushroom. In a preferred embodiment, the catheter portionincludes a plurality of openings and is tapered at the distal end.

According to the present invention, the shape memory material of thecatheter portion can incorporate or be treated with at least onetherapeutic agent or surface material. Contemplated therapeutic agentsinclude, but are not limited to, anticoagulants, human growth hormone,and anti-infectious agents. Contemplated surface materials include, butare not limited to, hydrophilic coatings (i.e., hydrogels) to increaselubricity and facilitate insertion of the catheter portion.

The present invention provides a unique needle/catheter and safetyfeatures to easily cannulate a hemodialysis access, to decrease cathetermigration and/or withdrawal from the access, to enable maintenance andcontrol of proper fluid volume flow while decreasing the likelihood ofclotting and infection during dialysis, and to protect administratorsfrom inadvertent needle sticks. Safety features for needles, includingtheir methods for preparation, which can be applied to the presentinvention, are described in numerous patents and patent applications,including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,436,070, 6,398,743; 6,077,244, 5,997,507,5,743,891; 5,665,073; 5,407,431; 5,403,283, and 4,929,241 and U.S.Patent Application Ser. Nos. 2002/0115964 and 2002/0107483.

The safety dialysis needle/catheter system in accordance with thepresent generally includes a catheter portion formed of a shape memorymaterial, a movable penetrating needle, and safety feature to render theneedle harmless from inadvertent needle sticks. In a preferredembodiment, a safety needle/catheter system includes a catheter portion,a penetrating needle, a housing/lure lock having a flange, a stop, amanual retraction button, and a concentric coil spring. The concentriccoil spring is compressed against the flange of the housing/lure lock.The flange provides a clamping means for stabilizing the catheterportion and the needle. The spring coil is retained within the catheterportion and against the housing/lure lock by a stop that is cantileveredfrom the housing/lure lock. This cantilevered stop also includes aconveniently located button that may be easily depressed by a finger ofone hand holding the housing/lure lock. Depression of the buttonretracts the needle into the housing/lure lock. For example, after theneedle and catheter portion have been properly inserted into a patient,the button is activated allowing the spring to force the needle to theproximal end of the housing/lure lock. As a result, the sharp distal tipof the needle is withdrawn from within the catheter portion and placedout of reach of the administrating personnel.

The distal end of the catheter portion can form a variety of shapes oncethe penetration needle is retracted. In one embodiment, the distal endof the catheter portion is made of a shape memory polymer or alloyhaving a shape recovery temperature in the range of 20° C. to 70° C.,preferably in the range of 30° C. to 50° C. because of the relation tobody temperature. By way of example, the shape memory alloy or polymerallows for the distal end of the catheter portion to remain relativelylinear for ease of insertion (i.e., when the shape recovery temperatureis lower than 20° C.). When the shape recovery temperature is between30° C. and 50° C., (i.e., after insertion into the body), the originalshape of the alloy or polymer (i.e., a spiral or loop) will be formed inthe body of the patient. In an embodiment, the distal end of thecatheter portion is tapered and includes a multitude of openings.

In a method of use, a penetrating needle of the invention is insertedinto subcutaneous tissue to create an entrance to a target site and toallow a catheter portion to advance through the entrance to the targetsite. The penetrating needle is of sufficient length and appropriateshape to easily infiltrate a hemodialysis access. Once the needlecreates an entrance to a target site and the catheter portion isadvanced through the entrance to the target site (i.e., fistula, graft,or abdominal cavity), the safety feature is engaged to render the needleharmless. The catheter portion is preferably formed of a shape memorymaterial. Thus, the catheter portion can be formed of an original shapethat provides proper fluid volume flow and/or reduces the risk ofclotting and/or infection. The catheter portion can then be deformedinto a shape and size that would facilitate catheter portion insertionand closure of the incision. When the catheter portion has advancedthrough the entrance and is placed at a target site, the catheterportion will be presented with an appropriate condition for shaperecovery (i.e., body temperature). According to the present invention,the catheter portion will form an original shape at the target site thatwill provide proper fluid volume flow for dialysis procedures and/ordecrease the likelihood of infection and clot formation during dialysis.

It is envisioned that the subject invention will advantageously allowgraft or fistula hemodialysis to be delivered through a catheter portionrather than a needle to lower the risk of infiltration, reduce thepressure/sheer stress of returning blood by returning blood throughmultiple side holes, and better intraluminal positioning and access.Further, the subject safety needle/catheter system can be used inperitoneal dialysis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the basic shape of a safety needle/catheter assemblyaccording to the subject invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the deformed shape of the catheter portion prior toinsertion into an individual.

FIG. 3 illustrates the recovered shape of the catheter portion afterinsertion into an individual.

FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary recovery shapes of the catheter portioncontemplated by the present invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

The present invention provides a unique safety needle/catheter systemfor use during dialysis and methods for using the safety needle/cathetersystem. The invention includes a safety feature that preventsinadvertent needle sticks to administering personnel. The inventionfurther provides a catheter portion composed of a shape memory materialhaving an original shape that can decrease the risk of infiltrationand/or disengagement of the needle from the access, reduce the severityof infection and/or clotting, as well as provide improved maintenanceand control over proper fluid volume flow during dialysis.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “biocompatible” refers to the property of beingcompatible with and having no significant toxic, injurious, orimmunological effect on living tissue:

As used herein, the term “shape memory” refers to the ability to returnto some previously defined shape or size when subjected to anappropriate condition (i.e., thermal procedure, stress).

Unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, materials for makingcomponents of the present invention may be selected from appropriatematerials such as metal, metallic alloys, natural and manmade fibers,vinyls, plastics and the like, and appropriate manufacturing orproduction methods including casting, extruding, molding and machiningmay be used.

Catheters

The present invention provides a safety needle/catheter system withstructural designs that reduce the likelihood of infiltration and/ordisengagement of the needle from the access, decrease the tendency ofcatheter crimping while also achieving high fluid volume flow rateswithout compromising the maximal catheter outer diameter. The catheterportion of the system of the invention can be produced and formed in awide range of shapes and sizes appropriate for dialysis procedures.Contemplated catheter portions of the invention can be transparent oropaque, and include features such as visible markers along the body ofthe catheter portion to indicate the distance from the most proximal endof the catheter to the surface of the skin. Such markers aid the user inassessing whether the catheter portion is appropriately engaged at atarget site (i.e., fistula).

The catheter portion of the invention can be composed of materialscommonly used in the manufacture of catheters including, but not limitedto, conventional flexible materials such as polyolefins (i.e.,polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene-polypropylenecopolymer), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide, polyurethane,polyester, fluorine resin (i.e., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP)), siliconerubber. As provided below, certain embodiments of the invention havecatheter portions composed of shape memory materials, including thosecommercially known as “nickel-titanium,” “titanium-nickel,” “Tee-nne,”“Memorite,” “Nitinol,” “Tinel,” and “Flexon.” The catheter portiondesigns of the present invention apply equally to single lumen, doublelumen, and multiple lumen embodiments.

Shape Memory Catheters

Shape memory materials have unique attributes, which make them an idealcandidate for many biomedical applications. According to the presentinvention, shape memory materials are suitable for forming a catheterportion of the invention because of their ability to return to somepreviously defined shape or size when subjected to the appropriatecondition (i.e., temperature). Moreover, commonly available shape memorypolymers and alloys can be easily processed and demonstrate ease ofshaping, high shape stability, adjustable transition temperatures, andexcellent biocompatibility. One skilled in the art would readilyunderstand how to apply such shape memory polymers and alloys tocreating a catheter portion of the subject invention.

Preferred shape memory catheter portions are those composed ofbiocompatible shape memory alloys or polymers, such as nickel-titaniumalloys (i.e., NiTi), copper-base alloys (i.e., CuZnAl and CuAlNi),iron-based alloys (i.e., FePt, FePd, FeNiCoTi, FeNiC, FeMnSi, andFeMnSiCrNi), polymers such as polynorbornene, styrene-butadienecopolymer, polyurethane, or transpolyisoprene; as well as polymernetworks based on oligo(ε-caprolactone) dimethacrylate as crosslinkerand n-butyl acrylate as a comonomer. Shape memory materials, includingtheir methods for preparation, that can be used in the present inventionare described in numerous patents and publications including, but notlimited to, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,411,655, 4,665,906, and5,645,558 and in Lendlein, A. et al., “AB-polymer networks based onoligo(ε-caprolactone) segments showing shape-memory properties,” PNAS,98:3, 842-847 (2001).

The catheter portion of the present invention can be of any cathetergauge size and/or catheter length appropriate for dialysis procedures.In a preferred embodiment, the catheter gauge size is between 14 and 17and the catheter length is from about 2 cm in length to about 10 cm inlength.

In an embodiment, a catheter portion is formed of shape memory materialthat exhibits shape recovery. The catheter portion is molded to anoriginal shape and size suitable for optimal fluid volume flow duringdialysis procedures. The shape of the catheter portion is then deformedfrom its original shape to a shape suitable for ease of introductioninto a body. Once introduced into an access, the catheter portionresumes its original shape to provide optimal fluid volume flow andprevent migration and/or withdrawal from the access and/or preventpuncture of poster access wall by the catheter. When the catheterportion is to be withdrawn from the patient, the catheter portionresumes its deformed shape to allow for ease of withdrawal of thecatheter portion.

In another embodiment, a catheter portion of the invention is formed ofshape memory material that exhibits shape recovery when subjected to anappropriate thermal procedure. The catheter portion is molded to anoriginal shape and size suitable for providing optimal fluid volume flowduring dialysis procedures as well as providing conditions under whichless clotting, tissue irritation, infection, or migration and/ordisengagement of the catheter portion will occur. The shape of thecatheter portion is deformed from its original shape into asubstantially linear shape for ease of introduction into the patient(i.e., small outer diameter catheter body) to facilitate insertion ofthe catheter portion and closure of the catheter incision. Thedeformation of the catheter portion is performed above the shaperecovery temperature of the polymer/alloy and is then cooled to fix thecatheter portion to the deformed decreased-size shape. Thus, the smalldiameter catheter is easily inserted into the patient at a desiredlocation in the body and is then warmed by the body to above the shapememory temperature to recover the original shape suitable for properfluid flow and for securing the catheter portion within the access.

In a preferred embodiment, the distal end of the catheter portion ismade of a shape memory polymer or alloy having a shape recoverytemperature in the range of 20° C. to 70° C., preferably in the range of30° C. to 50° C. because of the relation to body temperature. By way ofexample, the shape memory alloy or polymer allows for the distal end ofthe catheter portion to remain relatively linear for ease of insertion(i.e., when the shape recovery temperature is lower than 20° C.). Whenthe shape recovery temperature is between 30° C. and 50° C., (i.e.,after insertion into the body), the preset shape of the alloy or polymer(i.e., a spiral or loop) will be formed in the body of the patient. Inan embodiment, the distal end of the catheter portion is tapered andincludes a multitude of openings.

In a further embodiment, the original shape (i. e., shape recovered atbody temperature) is in the form of a spiral, sinusoidal wave, bolous,loop, pig tail, tennis racquet, halo, or mushroom. In a preferredembodiment, the catheter portion includes a multitude of openings and istapered at the distal end.

According to the present invention, the shape memory material of thecatheter portion can incorporate or be coated with at least onetherapeutic agent and/or at least one surface material. Contemplatedtherapeutic agents include anticoagulants, human growth hormone, andanti-infectious agents. Contemplated surface materials includehydrophilic coatings (i.e., hydrogels) to increase lubricity andfacilitate insertion of the catheter portion.

Safety Feature

The present invention combines a unique needle/catheter system withvarious safety features to protect administrators from inadvertentneedle sticks as well as to enable maintenance and control of properfluid volume flow during dialysis. Safety features for needle/catheters,including their methods for preparation, which can be applied to thepresent invention, are described in numerous patents and patentapplications, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,436,070, 6,398,743; 6,077,244,5,997,507, 5,743,891; 5,665,073; 5,407,431; 5,403,283, and 4,929,241 andU.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 2002/0115964 and 2002/0107483.

Needle Guard

One embodiment of the present invention provides a hollow catheterportion composed of shape memory material, a movable penetrating needleconcentrically retained within the catheter portion, and a safetyfeature that is a needle guard. The penetrating needle can be disposedin the catheter portion such that the portion of the needle used tocreate an entrance through the subcutaneous tissue to a target siteextends beyond the distal end of the catheter portion. The needle guardcan include a means for engaging the needle and a shield that covers theneedle upon its withdrawal from the catheter portion.

Retractable Needle

In another embodiment, the safety dialysis needle/catheter systemincludes a hollow catheter portion composed of shape memory material, amovable penetrating needle concentrically retained within the catheterportion, a housing, a biasing element, and a needle retainer. Inaccordance with the present invention, the catheter portion is mountedon the housing. The movable penetrating needle retained within thecatheter portion is operable between an extended position extendingforward of the distal end of the catheter portion and a retractedposition in which the needle is enclosed in the housing. The biasingelement biases the needle toward the retracted position and the needleretainer releasable retains the needle in the extended position againstthe bias on the biasing element. Upon placement of the catheter portionat a target site, the needle retainer is deactivated to release theneedle for retraction into the housing and to decrease the risk ofinadvertent needle sticks by administering personnel.

The needle, in accordance with the present invention, is of sufficientlength and appropriate shape to easily infiltrate a hemodialysis access.Such needles are readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In apreferred embodiment, the needle measures from roughly 2 cm to 10 cm inlength.

EXAMPLES

The safety dialysis needle/catheter system, as illustrated in FIG. 1,includes a catheter portion 1, a penetrating needle 3, and a housing 7.Catheter portion 1, according to the present invention, is composed of ashape memory material and is hollow to serves as a sleeve for an innerpenetrating needle 3.

At times, it might be necessary for the administering personnelinserting the catheter portion into a patient to see that thepenetrating needle tip and the catheter portion have reached a desiredblood vessel in order to stop advancing the needle tip. Thus, thecatheter portion 1 can be designed so that it is transparent andincludes at least one marker 2 along the body. Accordingly, thevisibility of fluid flow into the catheter portion indicates to theadministering personnel that the needle has reached the desired bloodvessel.

The penetrating needle 3 is movable relative to the catheter portion 1and housing 7 between an extended rest position and a retractedposition. The needle is movable between an extended position where adistal end of the needle 3 protrudes from the distal end 20 of thecatheter portion 1 and a retracted position with the needle 3 safelyretained in the housing 7. The safety dialysis system also includes aretracting means 10 for moving the needle from the needle extendedposition to the needle retracted position. Retracting means 10 caninclude compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs, pansprings, leaf springs, rubber, plastic or magnets. A means for manuallylocking the needle 12 from the needle retracted position to the needleextended position that is cantilevered from the housing 7 and caninclude a convenient button 14. The locking means 12 can include aclamp, twist or other mechanism to allow for the safe retraction of theneedle. The button 14 can easily be depressed by a finger of one handholding the housing 7 to trigger the retracting means 10 to pull theneedle into the retracted position.

In a preferred embodiment, the penetrating needle 3 has a sharp distalend. The retracting means 10 is a concentric coil spring compressedagainst a flange of a housing 7 that provides a clamping means 9 forstabilizing the catheter portion 1 and the needle 3. The spring coil isretained within the catheter portion 1 compressed between the housing 7and the needle 3. The spring is locked into an extended position by astop 12, which is cantilevered from the housing 7/lure lock 17. Thecantilevered stop 12 includes a convenient button 14 that is easilydepressed by a finger of one hand holding the housing 7. By locking thespring into an extended position, the penetrating needle 3 is disposedforward the catheter portion 1 to allow for penetration into a patient.After the penetrating needle 3 and catheter portion 1 have been properlyinserted into a patient, the button 14 is manually activated to allowthe spring to force the needle 3 to the proximal end 30 of the housing7. As a result, the sharp distal tip of the needle 3 is withdrawn intothe housing 1 out of reach of the administering personnel.

According to the present invention, the distal end of the catheterportion 1 can be deformed in a shape and size that facilitates catheterportion insertion and closing of incision site. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 2, the distal end of the catheter portion 1 can ofsubstantially elongate, linear shape, wherein the distal end of thecatheter portion 1 is tapered and includes a multitude of openings. In apreferred embodiment, the catheter portion is deformed to have a smalldiameter and sharp, tapered distal end.

Once the distal end of the catheter portion 1 is placed in anappropriate condition for recovering an original shape (ie., bodytemperature), the distal end of the catheter portion 1 can recover itsoriginal shape. By way of example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when thedistal end of the catheter portion 1 is subjected to the appropriatecondition for shape recovery, the distal end of the catheter portion 1may recover a shape wherein the catheter portion remains substantiallyelongate and linear yet the diameter of the lumen is greater to allowfor appropriate fluid volume flow.

FIG. 4 illustrates examples of other shapes the distal end of a catheterportion 1 can recover when placed in the appropriate condition for shaperecovery. In one embodiment, the distal end of the catheter portion 1forms a bolous 50 that includes at least one opening 52. In anotherembodiment, the distal end of the catheter portion 1 forms a loop 60with a multitude of openings 62 within the loop 60. A further embodimentprovides a catheter portion 1 having a distal end that forms asinusoidal shape 70 having a multitude of openings 72 therein.

In a preferred embodiment, the distal end of the catheter portion ismade of a shape memory polymer or alloy having a temperature-based shaperecovery condition. The shape recovery temperature can range from about20° C. to about 70° C., preferably in the range of about 30° C. to about50° C. because of the relation to body temperature. By way of example,the shape memory alloy or polymer allows for the distal end of thecatheter portion to remain relatively linear for ease of insertion(i.e., when the shape recovery temperature is lower than 20° C). Whenthe shape recovery temperature is between 30° C. and 50° C., (i.e.,after insertion into the body), the preset shape of the alloy or polymer(i.e., a spiral or loop) will be formed in the body of the patient. Inan embodiment, the distal end of the catheter portion is tapered andincludes a multitude of openings. In a further embodiment, the subjectcatheter portion incorporates or is coated with a therapeutic agent.Contemplated therapeutic agents include blood thinners such as heparinto prevent clot formation.

All patents, patent applications, provisional applications, andpublications referred to or cited herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety, including all figures and tables, to the extent theyare not inconsistent with the explicit teachings of this specification.

It should be understood that the examples and embodiments describedherein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modificationsor changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in theart and are to be included within the spirit and purview of thisapplication.

1. A safety dialysis needle/catheter system comprising: a housing; acatheter portion fixedly attached to the distal end of said housing andcapable of securely transmitting fluids, wherein said catheter comprisesa shape memory material having a first configuration for penetration anda second configuration acquired after penetration due to exposure to atissue environment, wherein said second configuration is selected fromthe group consisting of: a bolous; helical spiral; pig tail; tennisracquet; halo; mushroom; and sinusoidal wave; a needle disposed withinand manually deployable from the catheter; a spring positioned withinthe housing, having a first end connected to said housing and a secondend connected to the proximal end of the needle; and a button formanually controlling the position of the needle relative to thecatheter, comprising: a lock within the housing; and a stop positionedand moveable within the lock and further affixed to the needle, suchthat positioning of the stop distally within the lock deploys the needleoutside the housing, thus biasing the spring towards the proximal end ofthe housing, so that when the needle is moved proximally with the stop,the spring bias will cause the needle to be retracted into and heldwithin the catheter; wherein the safety feature for preventing aninadvertent needle stick comprises the spring, button, lock, and stopthat controls the position and movement of the needle and the catheterwhich forms a needle guard when the needle is retracted therein.
 2. Thesafety dialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 1, wherein theshape memory material is a shape memory polymer.
 3. The safety dialysisneedle/catheter system according to claim 1, wherein the shape memorymaterial is a shape memory alloy.
 4. The safety dialysis needle/cathetersystem according to claim 1, wherein the catheter portion furthercomprises several openings located along the catheter portion to allowfor maximum blood flow and to minimize sheer stress.
 5. The safetydialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 1, wherein the shapememory material has a shape recovery condition based on temperature. 6.The safety dialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 5, whereinthe shape recovery temperature ranges from about 20° C. to about 70° C.7. The safety dialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 5,wherein the shape recovery temperature ranges from about 30° C. to about50° C., such that the catheter portion is able to be reduced in size ordeformed in shape to facilitate catheter portion penetration and closingof catheter incision, prior to introduction into a body; and such thatthe catheter portion is able to be enlarged in size or reformed in ashape capable of maintaining the position of the catheter within atissue or cavity after exposure to a temperature within the shaperecovery temperature range so that the catheter portion can control andmaintain proper fluid flow for dialysis.
 8. The safety dialysisneedle/catheter system according to claim 1, wherein the shape memorymaterial further comprises at least one therapeutic agent.
 9. The safetydialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 8, wherein thetherapeutic agent is an anticoagulant or an agent that inhibits thedevelopment of bacterium, fungi, viruses, and other infectious agents.10. The safety dialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 1,wherein a surface of the catheter portion is treated with at least onesurface material.
 11. The safety dialysis needle/catheter systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the surface material is a hydrophiliccoating to increase lubricity and facilitate insertion of the catheterportion.
 12. The safety dialysis needle/catheter system according toclaim 10, wherein the surface material is a therapeutic agent.
 13. Thesafety dialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the catheter portion is transparent for viewing. 14.The safety dialysis needle/catheter system according to claim 13,wherein at least a portion of the catheter portion has visible markers.15. The safety dialysis needle/catheter system, according to claim 1,wherein the spring is a concentric coil spring.